BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome on Thursday. During the meeting, Wang said that in today’s world, more “modern Marco Polos” are needed to serve as bridges linking different civilizations. He called on the Italian side to actively participate in China’s Global Governance Initiatives, join hands in practicing genuine multilateralism, and contribute together to world peace and human civilization, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s greetings, saying that President Mattarella is a good friend of China who paid two state visits to China during his tenure, demonstrating his strong commitment to advancing China-Italy relations and his friendship with the Chinese people.
Wang said that China values Italy’s influence in Europe and the world, and stands ready to work with Italy to implement the consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, accelerate the action plan for the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, and ensure that bilateral relations become more stable, resilient, and fruitful. Such efforts, he added, will not only promote the development and revitalization of both countries and improve people’s well-being, but also contribute to world peace and the responsibilities both sides share.
During their meeting, Mattarella extended his sincere greetings to President Xi and congratulated both sides on the positive outcomes achieved at the 12th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee. He noted that China and Italy are both ancient civilizations that cherish peace and cooperation and are committed to resolving differences through dialogue.
In today’s complex and turbulent world, confrontation has no winners – dialogue is the only way out, Mattarella said. He added that China enjoys great prestige in the international community and plays an increasingly crucial role. Italy, he said, expects China to make greater contributions to global peace and stability, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
Wang attended the 12th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee in Rome on Wednesday, during which he called for deeper cooperation between the two countries.
Wang will later travel to Switzerland to hold the fourth round of China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. This marks Wang’s second visit to Europe in less than a month – a move that, according to experts, underscores not only the increasing frequency of China-Europe exchanges but also Beijing’s growing emphasis on strengthening cooperation with individual European countries, beyond its institutional engagement with the EU.
At the meeting, Wang noted that since last year, Italian President Mattarella, Senate President Ignazio La Russa, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have visited China, and that the two sides issued an action plan to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, per Xinhua News Agency. China and Italy have actively implemented the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. Taking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy this year as an opportunity, they have steadily expanded practical cooperation in various fields, with numerous highlights, Wang said in the joint meeting. –The Daily Mail-Global Times news exchange item
